The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between postural stability and the dynamic function of the lower limbs in university students, and to identify differences based on their academic specialization. The sample consisted of 68 University of Presov students (age: 23.06±2.48; BMI: 22.81±2.50). The sample was divided according to students’ academic focus: Faculty of Health Care students (FHC) (n=32; age: 21.88±0.71; weight: 67.44±12.37 kg; height: 1.72±0.08 m; BMI: 22.62±2.80) and Faculty of Sport students (FS) (n=36; age: 24.11±2.98; weight: 72.44±10.17 kg; height: 1.77±0.09 m; BMI: 22.99±2.23). For monitored parameters evaluating, we have used the Freemed baropodometric platform and Y balance test (YBT). The YBT scores of FS students were l.sin. = 97.31±6.41; l.dx. = 96.42±7.76, and of FHC students were l.sin. = 87.49±7.24; l.dx. = 86.50±8.10. No significant differences were found between the composite scores of the left (p=0.48) and right (p=0.80) lower limbs in both groups (p < 0.05). The correlation between postural stability and lower limb dynamic function showed no significance (l.sin. R2 = 0.017; l.dx. = R2=0.010). The results of the study indicate a very weak correlation between postural stability and dynamic function of the lower limbs among the students tested.
The creatine kinase, muscle (CKM) rs8111989 polymorphism has been repeatedly linked to athletic performance, yet its role in susceptibility to non-contact muscle injury remains unclear. This study examined the association between CKM rs8111989 and the risk of non-contact muscle injury in 269 physically active Caucasian adults. Participants were classified into a study group with a self-reported history of non-contact muscle injury (n=139) and an injury-free control group (n=130). Among injured participants, 25 reported one injury and 114 reported ≥2 injuries. Most participants were engaged in endurance-oriented disciplines, predominantly long-distance running. Genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swabs and genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Logistic regression models (dominant, recessive, codominant, overdominant, log-additive) were applied to test associations between rs8111989 and injury status (any injury, one injury, multiple injuries), with age and BMI included as covariates. The rs8111989 alternative-allele frequency was 0.690 overall (controls 0.712; injury group 0.669; 1 injury 0.720; ≥2 injuries 0.658). No statistically significant associations were observed between rs8111989 genotypes and either the presence or number of non-contact muscle injuries after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. These findings indicate that CKM rs8111989 is unlikely to exert a major independent effect on non-contact muscle injury risk in this cohort. Replication in larger, prospectively monitored, and sport-specific samples, ideally within polygenic frameworks, is warranted.
Background: Obese postmenopausal women are at high risk for cardiometabolic disease, yet the specific physiological patterns of their exercise intolerance remain poorly described. Emerging evidence suggests that this intolerance reflects the combined effects of reduced cardiovascular reserve, impaired metabolic flexibility, and autonomic dysregulation, which may be detectable using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). This case series aimed to characterize the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to graded exercise in this population. Case summary: We present nine sedentary, obese postmenopausal women (mean age 56.78±9.02 years; BMI 33.87±3.8 kg/m²) who underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing using graded cycle ergometry. Key parameters (VO₂, VCO₂, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), and O₂ pulse) were recorded at rest (Rest.3), the anaerobic threshold (AT), maximum workload (Wmax), and at 1 (Rec.1) and 3 (Rec.3) minutes into recovery. Results revealed severely impaired functional capacity, with peak oxygen uptake (VO₂max) ranging from (4±1) to (16±3) ml/kg/min. Key findings included profound metabolic inflexibility (high resting and recovery RER) and delayed heart rate recovery, indicative of autonomic dysfunction. Conclusion: This case series highlights a triad of physiological impairments including reduced cardiovascular reserve, metabolic inflexibility, and autonomic dysfunction that contribute to severe exercise intolerance in obese postmenopausal women. These findings support the clinical value of CPET for identifying individual-specific physiological limitations and guiding personalized exercise interventions in this high-risk population.
This study aimed to assess muscular strength, endurance, and movement pattern quality in adults engaged in recreational, targeted strength training compared to physically active individuals without a specific strength focus. A total of 60 participants were included: 34 in the experimental group (17 men, 17 women) and 26 in the control group (13 men, 13 women). All subjects completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to evaluate movement quality. Muscular strength and endurance were assessed using four tests based on ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (11th ed.): Handgrip Strength, Bench Press Ratio, Leg Press Ratio, and Push-Up Test. In the strength-training group, 79.4% scored ≥18 on the FMS (vs 61.5% in controls), with no scores < 14 (vs 3.8%). In the Handgrip Test, 63% scored at or above the 50th percentile (vs 58%). The experimental group more often achieved “Good” or higher classifications in the bench press and push-up tests. Notably, 45% scored “Very Good” or “Excellent” in push-ups (vs 19% in controls). Findings suggest that regular, targeted strength training contributes to higher levels of muscular strength, endurance, and movement quality, potentially reducing injury risk and enhancing functional performance.
The contemporary lifestyle of women working in offices leads to limited physical activity and sedentary behavior, which increases the risk of health problems. Digital tools, including training platforms, offer a potentially effective solution for supporting healthy lifestyle changes. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of using a training platform on physical activity levels, selected eating habits, sleep quality, and lifestyle factors among adult women working in offices. The study was longitudinal in nature and included professionally active adult women (n=158) employed in office positions in state-owned entities in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Data were collected at four time points: T0 (baseline), T3 (3 months), T6 (6 months), and T9 (9 months). A diagnostic survey approach was employed, utilizing proprietary questionnaires and the Athens Insomnia Scale. Analyses were performed using the Friedman test and post-hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction. During the 9-month intervention, a significant increase in physical activity levels was observed, including an increase in the frequency and duration of activities of varying intensity. Some changes in dietary habits were also observed, including increased fluid and vegetable consumption. No changes in between-meal snacking were observed. Analysis of sleep parameters revealed a significant deterioration in subjective sleep quality throughout the intervention. The training platform proved to be an effective tool for supporting increased physical activity in working women, but its impact on other lifestyle factors, particularly sleep quality, was limited.
This study aims to investigate the effects of augmented reality training (ART) towards exercise behavior, and technical performance among young athletes. A 9-week experiment was adopted in this study. Fifty young male Pencak Silat athletes were involved as participants, and they were assigned into ART (n = 25), and control (n = 25) groups. Measurements of exercise behavior (exercise intensity, exercise time, exercise frequency), and technical performance (target punching test, target kick test) were conducted at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. This study generated two main research findings. First, there were significant effects interaction of condition vs. time (p = 0.001), condition (p = 0.019), and time (p < 0.001) on the exercise behavior variable in the exercise intensity indicator. At the same time, we observed the effects of the interaction of condition vs. time (p = 0.015), condition (p = 0.023), and time (p < 0.001) in the exercise time indicator, while the exercise frequency indicator showed the effects of interaction of condition vs. time (p < 0.001), condition (p = 0.005), and time (p < 0.001). Second, there was a significant effect on interaction of condition vs. time (p < 0.001), condition (p = 0.001), and time (p < 0.001) on the technical performance variable in the target punching test indicator. The target kick test indicator showed the effects interaction of condition vs. time (p < 0.001), condition (p = 0.001), and time (p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed that the ART group has higher score than the TT group in terms of increasing exercise behavior and technical performance. The conclusion is that the 9-week ART program has proven effective in improving aspects of exercise behavior and technical performance among young Pencak Silat athletes.
Blood lipid analyses were conducted on athletes and non-athletes to determine the extent to which certain blood parameters are affected by sports activity. The research objectives included identifying the results of blood fats for students in the Physical Education Department and comparing them with those of students in the Chemistry Department. The descriptive approach was used to suit the nature of the study , while the research sample was a group of female students from fourth-year students in the Department of physical Education, College of Education for Girls (athletes), and female students from the fourth year of the Department of Chemistry (non-athletes), with 10 female students from each department . Note that the mean age of the students was 23.15 years, SD=0.67, median 23, the mean height was165 cm, SD=5.36, median 166, and the mean weight was 67.2 kg, SD=3.54, median 67. Blood samples were taken for each female student during break time in order to analyze five blood indicators to identify the extent to which physical activity affects these indicators was determined by comparing the two groups using statistical analysis. The results were then discussed. In light of the findings, the researcher drew several conclusions. Regular physical activity is essential for female students, regardless of their university major, and should be practiced two to three times per week to be effective for general health and obesity prevention, and to help regulate blood lipid and lipoprotein levels, as it influences fat accumulation in the blood and subcutaneous tissue. Diet determines fat intake ,while exercise helps regular lipid levels. It is recommended to conduct periodic blood lipid tests for athletes and non-athletes alike to identify a person's health status early
Purpose: This study investigated the impact of a short-term perceptual training program using the Dynavision-D2 device on dynamic three-point shooting accuracy and performance kinematics in semi-professional basketball players. Methods: Fifteen Semi-professional Basketball Players completed a three-week training program (three 30-minute sessions per week) alongside their regular practice. Pre- and post-training assessments measured shooting accuracy using the "90s dynamic three-point shooting" test and analyzed kinematic variables (e.g., wrist extension and ball release angles) using Dartfish software. Results: Results revealed a significant improvement in the three-point shooting accuracy (p < .001, Cohen's d=1.70), with post-training accuracy increasing from 15.7% to 18.2%. Regression analysis indicated significant differences in kinematic variables: Wrist Extension Angle: p=0.004, R²=0.388, and Ball Release Angle: p=0.05, R²=0.161. However, no statistically significant effects were observed for knee flexion (p=0.710), hip flexion (p=0.418), shoulder flexion (p=0.629), elbow flexion (p=0.294), and wrist flexion (p=0.399). Conclusion: The Short-Term Dynavision-D2 Training Program significantly improved three-point shooting accuracy and key kinematic variables in basketball players. The findings support the integration of cognitive-motor training into sports routines, highlighting its potential to enhance athletic performance.
Introduction: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) and heart rate variability (HRV) are important physiological indicators of both cardiovascular fitness and autonomic nervous system regulation in exercise science. This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic fitness on cardio-vagal adaptation in young adults. Methods: Thirty-five physically active university students (23.89±1.64 years), with a minimum of four years of regular exercise participation were included in this study. VO₂ max was assessed using a graded treadmill test and HRV indices were obtained from ECG recordings using LabScribe and Kubios software. Pearson’s correlation with Bonferroni-adjusted was performed for statistical analysis. Results: No significant correlations were observed between VO₂ max and time-domain HRV indices SDNN(r=0.177, p=0.309); pNN50(r=0.198, p=0.254) and NN50(r=-0.340, p=0.846), while RMSSD(r=0.340, p=0.045) showed weak to moderate positive association. In contrast, significant correlations were found with frequency-domain indices, including HF power (r=0.450, p=0.006) and LF power (r=-0.450, p=0.006) and LF/HF ratio (r=- 0.449, p=0.006). Conclusion: These findings indicate that regular aerobic exercises associated with improved parasympathetic modulation and enhanced cardio-autonomic balance in young adults.
Background: The World Health Organization has declared physical inactivity as the fourth leading cause of death and a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Studies suggest that the higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases adds to extreme health and financial burden to the United Arab Emirates and the promotion of physical activities could help combat this situation. Sports play a significant role in the promotion of physical activity. Among all sports, badminton targets the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems significantly. Methodology: An Experimental, double-blinded, non- randomized controlled trial would be conducted at the Body and Soul Sports Complex, Gulf Medical University, UAE. A total of 120 older adults (40 to 70 years) would be divided into three groups of 40 each viz. with non-communicable disease (WCN), without non-communicable disease (WICN), and healthy control group (HCG). Physical activity intervention consists of two months (8 weeks), 3 days a week of Badminton sessions to WCN and WICN groups for major cardiovascular and neuromuscular parameters. Discussion: The study is aimed to design a sports-driven interventional approach to determine the effects on cardiovascular and neuromuscular functions of older adults in UAE. The immediate impact can be seen in drawing the attention of the authorities and changes in the status of non-communicable diseases among the UAE population with the introduction of such programs on a larger scale. The impact could also be seen with the development of necessary infrastructure and instrumentation in other parts of the world encouraging older adults to actively participate in physical activity.
During menopause, women face notable physical changes and a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Pilates exercises can improve balance, benefiting this population. This study aimed to evaluate the specific impact of Pilates on postural control in menopausal women. The search for relevant studies encompassed Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, covering the period until August 2, 2025. Additionally, the reference lists of included studies were manually searched for further identification of relevant articles. The selection of studies, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality using the Downs and Black checklist were conducted independently by two authors. This review included five studies with 284 menopausal women, examining the effect of Pilates on postural control. The most commonly implemented Pilates exercises across the included studies consisted of 2 sessions per week, each lasting approximately 50 to 60 minutes, conducted at low to moderate intensity, and sustained for a minimum intervention duration of 12 weeks. Postural control variables were evaluated using a stabilometric platform, force plate, timed up-and-go test, and Mini-BESTest. Pilates may improve postural control in menopausal women, with factors like time since menopause, activity level, and exercise characteristics influencing outcomes.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between perfectionism, a personality trait, and state anxiety experienced by Physical Education students during practical exams, and how this relationship, as an experiential learning process could increase their professional readiness for coaching. A total of 305 students (146 male and 159 female) participated in the study. They completed questionnaires on demographics, and perfectionism, and before each exam they completed the STAIC-2. The results revealed differences between rhythmic gymnastics (RG) exams and handball exams in somatic anxiety and self-confidence, as well as between female and male participants. Also, the negative dimension of perfectionism was the main predictor of somatic and cognitive anxiety. Practical indications are discussed in relation to the professional development of future coaches.
Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions with consequences extending to both somatic and psychosocial domains. Their prevalence among physically active individuals, particularly within artistic environments, has attracted considerable scientific attention. Ballet dancers constitute one of the groups especially predisposed to these disorders. Ballet requires not only exceptional physical fitness but also the fulfillment of specific aesthetic standards, including the maintenance of a slender body shape. Consequently, ballet dancers are at elevated risk of developing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other forms of disordered eating. The aim of this study was to analyze the predisposition to eating disorders among ballet dancers using validated diagnostic tools (EAT-26 and EDE-Q). The study included 25 adult ballet dancers from Poland. The results revealed that more than half of the participants obtained scores indicative of a high risk of EDs. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of this issue and underscore the importance of implementing preventive and therapeutic interventions.
The “New Year – Healthy Year” program is a multi-stage initiative supporting physical activity implemented in the form of an online training platform and addressed to women employed in office-based occupations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the first, three-month stage of the program on participants’ physical activity levels. The analysis was based on the results of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), completed before and after the intervention stage. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the number of days of moderate physical activity during leisure time (Z = 2.80; p = 0.01), along with an increase in the number of hours spent sitting on both weekdays (Z = 2.31; p = 0.02) and weekends (Z = 2.67; p = 0.01). No significant changes were found in the average duration of moderate activity on active days (Z = 1.78; p = 0.07). The obtained findings suggest that the mere availability of an online program in its initial phase was insufficient to increase the frequency of engaging in physical activity, highlighting the need for additional strategies to sustain commitment. Such strategies may include reminders, personalized training plans, and modifications to work and daily living environments that facilitate a reduction in sedentary time. Furthermore, the first stage of the program may be too short to induce lasting behavioural changes, thereby justifying continued monitoring of participants in subsequent stages, as well as supportive consultations after three and six months of program duration.
High-intensity training (HIT), such as CrossFit® training, causes metabolic and neuromuscular stress. Wearable devices, such as Taopatch®, which combine photobiomodulation and proprioceptive stimulation, have been proposed to enhance metabolic responses during HIT. Our pilot study investigated the acute effects of Taopatch® on metabolic (blood lactate and glycemia) and neuromuscular (handgrip strength and push-up performance) markers in six trained female CrossFit® athletes. Participants were assigned to either experimental group (TAO), who received the Taopatch® device, or the control group (CC), who received the Taopatch® placebo device. Each athletes completed a 15-minute CrossFit® training session. Lactate and glycemia levels were measured at baseline before device application (T0). The Taopatch®, active or placebo, was then applied, and post-training measurements were collected 45 minutes after the end of training (T1), and 90 minutes after the end of training (T2). Strength tests were performed before and after the application of Taopatch®. The results showed no statistically significant differences between groups. However, TAO group showed a stable glycaemic profile and a less marked lactate peak than CC group after the workout, suggesting a potential effect of Taopatch® on metabolic regulation. In neuromuscular parameters, there were no relevant changes between the groups. A small improvement in left-hand grip strength test was observed in TAO group, suggesting that Taopatch® can improve the non-dominant limb. However, the absence of evident effects on neuromuscular parameters could be related to the small sample size and short duration of the study. These preliminary findings suggest a potential modulatory effect on metabolic response that warrants verification in larger, fully-powered trials.
This study investigated the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), and their combination (IPC+PAPE) on anaerobic performance in trained male athletes. In a randomized crossover design, participants performed a Wingate test following four distinct warm-up protocols. Statistical analysis revealed that only the PAPE protocol significantly improved maximum and relative maximum power compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, IPC alone did not affect substantially any power parameter, and the combined IPC+PAPE protocol demonstrated no synergistic effect over PAPE alone. These findings confirm that PAPE is an effective short-term strategy for enhancing explosive anaerobic performance. From a practical standpoint, this study suggests that while coaches can effectively utilize PAPE protocols to acutely boost power output, combining them with IPC may not provide additional benefits for Wingate performance, thereby questioning their time efficiency in a warm-up setting.
The aim of the research was to evaluate the acute effect of five different stretching techniques used as a part of agility and speed training. The sample groups consisted of 108 PF UJEP students who study in the field of physical education and sports. Participants performed five different warm-up stretching models in five different weeks, each Monday at the same time and place. The agility test and sprint were applied immediately after each stretching exercise. Both tests were performed without stretching (NS), after static stretching (SS), dynamic stretching (DS), static + dynamic stretching (SDS), and dynamic + static stretching (DSS) following 5 minutes of jogging. The ANOVA Chi Square statistical method and Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Tests were used to evaluate the data. The differences between the protocols were as follows NS with DS, NS with DSS, NS with SDS, SS with DS, SS with DSS, SS with SDS, DSS with SDS in 10 m (p < 0.05). There is a statistical difference between NS with SS, NS with DS, NS with DSS, NS with SDS in Illinois agility test (p < 0.05). Types of dynamic stretching have a positive effect on strength and speed sports performance. To increase agility, it is recommended to warm up in combination with a model of dynamic stretching after static stretching.
This study aimed to assess the influence of sports activities on certain nutritional habits, eating issues, food consumption frequencies, and sleep patterns in children with autism, categorized by age groups. This study was cross-sectional and included 93 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years, divided according to participation in sports activities three days a week within autism sports clubs and associations. The investigation employed various tools, including nutrition habit inquiries, a food consumption frequency questionnaire, and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) Short Form. The findings revealed that children engaged in sports exhibited a higher consumption rate of egg compared to their non-participant counterparts. Moreover, when examining the sleep patterns of children with autism across different ages, it was observed that non-participating children aged 3–5 years had significantly higher CSHQ scores than their sporting counterparts aged 3–5 (p < 0.05; d = 1.71). This study suggests that involvement in sports activities may serve as a promising strategy for regulating the nutritional intake and sleep patterns of children with autism, thereby potentially enhancing overall sleep quality.
Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture (ACLR) in athletes tends to increase annually. Maximal Oxygen Consumption (V̇O2 max) and Body Composition (BC) characteristics influence athletic performance. Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between oxygen consumption and body composition in professional soccer players and non-athletes with and without anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Methods: A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) was performed to measure the cardiorespiratory capacity of 15 professional soccer players (1 ACLR), age 22.47 ± 3.16 years, weight 74.69 ± 6.04 kg, height 177.97 ± 6.85 cm and 22 non-athlete participants (7 ACLR), age 22.27 ± 3.09 years, weight 68.1 ± 10.28 kg, height 172.44 ± 5.66 cm. Results: Soccer players had higher VO2 values (L/min) than non-athletes 3.55 ± 0.33 vs 3.23 ± 0.38 (p < 0.05). Heart rate (/min) was significantly higher in non-athletes than in soccer players 184.35 ± 14.11 vs 182.91 ± 14.04. In the non-athletes group (CG), participants without ACLR had higher VO2/kg (ml/min/kg) than ACLR. Conclusion: Most of the body composition variables correlated significantly with V̇O2Peak (L/min) in both groups. These results demonstrate that an adequate body composition influences the oxygen consumption capacity of professional soccer players and non-athletes, this is relevant in athletes because as stated in previous studies, fatigue is a risk factor for ACL injury.
Eating disorders in sports represent a significant health issue that has drawn the attention of researchers worldwide. Selected studies suggest that disordered eating behaviors among athletes occur more frequently than in non-athletic individuals (Ghazzawi et al., 2024; Jaššová & Dostal, 2022; Torstveit et al., 2008). It is believed that such behaviors may result, in part, from the pursuit of an ideal body image specific to the sport, as well as from attempts to alleviate dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, shaped by the aesthetic demands and expectations concerning the physical presentation of the athlete (Torstveit et al., 2008). Despite numerous studies addressing this phenomenon, research findings remain inconclusive, and knowledge in this area requires further exploration. The aim of this narrative review is to present the current state of knowledge on eating disorders in sports, with a particular focus on risk factors for their development, negative health consequences, and potential support methods for those affected. Considering that eating disorders in sports can lead to serious health consequences, expanding knowledge in this area and implementing appropriate preventive measures may contribute to reducing morbidity and improving the well-being of athletes.
